This week on the podcast the guys talked about the training they received in paramedic and EMT school to prepare for psychological emergencies and emotional patients and family members we encounter in EMS.

After a short break for Memorial Day, Josh and Jim are back to discuss a topic that in the past may not have been at the forefront of our EMS list.

Discussing the recent JEMS issue and EMS preparedness, we talk about how it can pay off and why more than ever preparation can be the key to patient survival and provider safety. Guest caller Walter Dusseldorp of the Hudson Valley Paramedic Association made this a very interesting episode.

Ever think EMS should do more cross training with our law enforcement and fire counterparts or vice versa?

It can be hard to know what is expected of us at fire scenes, crime scenes and accidents. I am sure it is just as frustrating to police and fire when they don’t know what we expect or need from them on our calls.

Better inter agency training can certainly help alleviate confusion and make us appear much more in tune with each other to the public as well.

EMS Manager – If you have more than five employees at your agency then you could use some employee scheduling and management software. With pricing based on agency size you can’t afford not to try out the free customized trial from EMS Manager. Get it here

You’re an EMS provider. You’ve listened to your instructor, supervisor, FTO and anyone else who can give you that insight into the world of EMS right? But did they ever tell you about certain things you will see, be asked to use or be prepared to act on? At what point does it become your responsibility to know about these surprises? Take a listen as Josh Knapp and I discuss this along with the Chat room.

New titles and changes in EMS levels present some challenges to EMS. Some states are leaving certain level names as is, some are adding another level. These changes also present a challenge to the volunteers in EMS and funding available.

Shouldn’t every state adopt what the National Curriculum has presented? Is this a death knoll to the volunteer system or a chance for them to embrace and meet the changes that look to improve the EMS profession?

Take a listen to this session an give your point of view on the EMS transitions.

Ahh yes, the drive to be an EMT. The car wrecks, shootings, heart attacks and cardiac arrests. But once you have that nice EMT card you quickly realize that most of what you are doing are geriatric patients. All with a wide variation of illnesses, history and medication lists long enough to fill way more than that little space on your chart allows.

So I ask you, did you expect that part of EMS? Have you embraced it yet? If not you should. It’s not going to change and it’s certainly not going to get any better. Be sure to jump in on this episode and share your thoughts on this topic.

This is a quick review of common ECG rhythm strips that points out key features. Knowing what to look for will help you when you see that abnormal ECG. If you are on the fence when it comes to mastering basic ECG strips like these and advancing to more complicated rhythms. I think this ECG […]

FREE Recorded Webinar EMS Event A lot of factors surround the scene of a crash…some are even beyond our standard “BSI and scene safety” considerations. This course takes a look at scene size-up, vehicle stabilization, and other safety factors surrounding motor vehicle accidents. Too often we take for granted the basics of scene size up […]